Bromeliads are often associated with steamy rainforests and exotic holiday destinations, yet many can be grown very successfully in the UK. With their sculptural rosettes, colourful bracts, and long-lasting flowers, they make striking houseplants and summer patio plants, and a few are even hardy enough to live outdoors all year in milder gardens.

This guide explains how to grow bromeliads in the UK climate, which types are easiest, and how to keep them looking their best.

What Are Bromeliads?

Bromeliads belong to the family Bromeliaceae, a group of mainly tropical plants native to Central and South America. Many grow as epiphytes in trees rather than in soil, collecting water and nutrients in the central “tank” formed by their leaves.

Commonly grown genera include:

• Guzmania – soft leaves, vivid flower spikes, ideal for indoors
• Vriesea – architectural forms, flat sword-like flowers
• Aechmea – tougher plants with spiny leaves, good for beginners
• Tillandsia (air plants) – soil-free epiphytes
• Fascicularia – one of the few genuinely hardy bromeliads

Are Bromeliads Hardy in the UK?

Most bromeliads are tender and must be protected from frost. However:

• Indoor bromeliads thrive year-round in heated homes
• Summer outdoor growing is very successful from late spring to early autumn
• Fascicularia bicolor can survive outdoors year-round in sheltered UK gardens, especially in the south and coastal areas

As a rule, if temperatures fall below 5°C, tender bromeliads should be brought indoors.

Growing Bromeliads Indoors

Light

Bromeliads prefer bright, indirect light. A position near an east- or west-facing window is ideal. Too much direct sun can scorch the leaves, while low light reduces flowering.

Temperature

• Ideal range: 18–24°C
• Avoid cold draughts and sudden temperature changes
• Keep away from radiators and fireplaces

Watering

Bromeliads are easily killed by overwatering, but they do have specific needs:

• Keep the central cup (tank) filled with rainwater where possible
• Empty and refresh the tank every few weeks to prevent stagnation
• Water the compost lightly, allowing it to dry slightly between watering

In winter, reduce watering significantly.

Humidity

UK homes can be dry, especially in winter. Increase humidity by:

• Misting occasionally (not daily)
• Standing pots on trays of damp gravel
• Grouping plants together

Compost and Potting

Bromeliads need excellent drainage. A suitable mix is:

• Houseplant compost mixed with orchid bark or perlite
• Alternatively, use a ready-made orchid compost

Repot only when necessary, as bromeliads prefer to be slightly pot-bound.

Growing Bromeliads Outdoors in Summer

From late May or early June, bromeliads can be moved outside once nights are reliably warm.

• Choose a sheltered, lightly shaded position
• Protect from heavy rain and strong winds
• Use pots rather than planting into the ground (except Fascicularia)

Outdoor summer growing often results in stronger plants and better colour.

Hardy Bromeliads for UK Gardens

Fascicularia bicolor

This is the most reliable bromeliad for outdoor planting in the UK.

• Forms dense clumps of spiny green leaves
• Turns brilliant red before flowering
• Survives temperatures down to around –8°C if well-drained

Grow in:

• Free-draining soil or raised beds
• Full sun to light shade
• A dryish position in winter

Good drainage is essential for winter survival.

Flowering and Aftercare

A bromeliad flowers only once, often lasting several months. After flowering:

• The main plant will slowly decline
• Offsets (pups) form at the base

Do not remove the parent plant until pups are at least one-third of its size. These can then be potted on and grown as new plants.

Common Problems

• Brown leaf tips – dry air or inconsistent watering
• Rot at the base – compost too wet or poor drainage
• No flowers – insufficient light or a plant not yet mature

Healthy bromeliads are generally pest-free in the UK.

Why Grow Bromeliads?

Bromeliads are long-lived, low-maintenance plants that offer colour and structure when many houseplants are simply green. For UK gardeners with a taste for the exotic, they are one of the easiest ways to bring a tropical feel into the home or summer garden.

With the right care and positioning, bromeliads can thrive in the UK and become a distinctive, reliable part of your plant collection.